Newcastle United Vs Arsenal - Aubameyang to hit the ground running

Steve Bruce faces a tough season with Newcastle (Photo by Getty Images)

Newcastle Vs Arsenal Predictions, Tips and Free Bets

Arsenal will start the new Premier League campaign with a trip to Newcastle United, who will have their first game under the stewardship of new manager, Steve Bruce this Sunday afternoon.

Newcastle Vs Arsenal Game Details

Date

Sunday 11th August

Venue

St James' Park

Competition

English Premier League

Time

14:00 (GMT +1)

Newcastle Form & Team News

It’s been yet another summer of discontent on Tyneside for Newcastle’s long-suffering fanbase. After finishing last season strong with a 4-0 victory over Fulham, and a good run of results which saw them secure a 13th placed finish, any sense of optimism was instantly deflated when the club announced that manager, Rafael Benitez was set to leave. Benitez was quickly followed out of the door by Ayoze Perez, Salomon Rondon and Mohamed Diame, leaving new manager, Steve Bruce with plenty to work on. Bruce has previously managed Newcastle’s rivals, Sunderland but his Geordie heritage should see him receive some goodwill from The Magpies’ fanbase. Bruce has been given some money in the transfer market and is likely to hand debuts to striker Joelinton and winger Allan Saint-Maximin on Sunday.The club have had a fairly positive pre-season, winning their last Hibernian and St Ettienne, though, they did notably get hammered 4-0 by Wolves in the Premier League Asia Trophy, and have only managed to keep one clean sheet in their last 5 games.

Arsenal Form & Team News

Arsenal will want to kick start their new Premier League campaign after getting humiliated 4-1 by Chelsea in the Europa League final at the end of last season. The Gunners have grabbed headlines the past couple of weeks with the capture of £72m winger, Nicolas Pepe from Lille. Unai Emery’s team have failed to boost their defence though, and a lot of fans will have felt like this was their biggest weakness last season. Emery will have no fresh injury concerns for the coming match though, and he is likely to hand a debut to the aforementioned Pepe, who will no doubt perfectly compliment the deadly duo of Laczette and Pierre Aubameyang. The club had some tough tests throughout pre-season and held their own against some of Europe’s toughest teams. They drew with Real Madrid, beat Bayern Munich and lost in the last minute to Barcelona. All three of these results will give the team some confidence heading into the new campaign.

Arsenal are a strong attacking force with a deadly strike duo in Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. (Getty Images)

Arsenal may have struggled away from home last year but they have an excellent record when it comes to playing away at St James’ Park.

The Gunners have won five of their last six matches at the stadium, and will be hoping to continue that hot streak on Sunday afternoon.

Unai Emery’s team have one of the most impressive frontlines in the Premier League and that will only have been improved by Pepe. The trio of Pep, Lacazette and Aubameyang will prove to be too much for Newcastle’s fragile defence to handle.

Newcastle United Vs Arsenal Tips- Arsenal to win in a game with goals

Newcastle fans will put on a brave face but they will be worried about the coming season, and given Arsenal’s previous record at the stadium, and the addition of Pepe to their starting 11, they are great value for the win at 1.83 with Bet365. The home side are currently all the way out at 4.50.

The Magpies have lost two of their last three Premier League games at home, and they have only kept one clean sheet in their last five encounters at the stadium.

They have, however, also scored in all but one of their last nine matches at St James’ Park, so a bet on both teams to score could be excellent value at 1.70 with Bet365.

Pierre Emmerick Aubameyang was one of the deadliest strikers in the division last year, and with Pepe now joining the team, he is great value in the anytime goalscorer market at 2.0.

Verdict

Arsenal's attacking prowess should see them get past Newcastle on Sunday afternoon, with both teams getting goals. Aubameyang was a constant threat for The Gunners last season and should find his way onto the scoresheet too.

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